Freestylin' Pick-Me Ups By Emily Reaman Special to washingtonpost.com Friday, December 20, 2002

	Monday, Tuesday, Me Day. (Photo by Tyler Mallory for The Washington Post)
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Get your positive energy flowing early with a t'ai chi class. Rooted in Chinese medicine and martial arts, t'ai chi offers a low-impact alternative to the treadmill. Calming exercises for mind and body teach relaxation and stress relief. The T'ai Chi Ch'uan Study Center welcomes anyone to free Saturday morning sessions from 8 to 9 in the gymnasium of St. Luke Catholic Church School in McLean. Outdoor classes resume at the end of March. Newcomers need not worry about registration or prior experience. Afterward, stretch out your morning and join the group for a bagel breakfast.

Now that you've restored your inner aura, give your face a fresh scrub. Origins stores offer free mini facials year-round and all you have to do is ask -- in advance. But usually same-day appointments are available. Let specialists exfoliate those woes away with botanical skin soothers. Then, brush up on which tints and tones from Origins makeup line best suit the revitalized you. Mini facials don't stop at the neck. Ask for a hand massage in sugary sea salts flavored in pomegranate, ginger or peppermint. Whipped body creams top this treat. Don't forget to ask for free samples to enjoy at home.

Searching for that long lost tune to boost your mood? Whether you have a case of hip-hop or disco fever, head to DJ Hut, where bargain bins probably hold what you're craving. Popular CDs from artists like Common and the Roots go for about $9.99. If it's nostalgia you're after, a mixed assortment of $1.99 old-school records might be just what you need.

All this excitement works up an appetite. A fast, fresh lunch is the answer, and Benihana in Georgetown Park Mall offers a raw steal for sushi lovers. Check out the triple roll special: three rolls of your choice plus soup or salad for $8.95 serves perfectly for solo dining or a generous starter for you and a few friends. Spicy tuna and friendly service are always worth the trip. On most menu items, students save 10 percent with valid ID. But, sorry, triple roll's not included.

Whatever the weather, pour into Teaism. For an exotic twist to tea time, sample an assortment of teas infused with fruits and spices like cinnamon apricot and lavender lemon mint. Steeped with a delicate flavor, the low-caffeinated white tea -- combined with a salty oat cookie for $1.85 -- is a sweet snack.

Use your Me Day to read up on what interests you or as a cover for free wine and cheese. On the second Saturday of every month from 4 to 7 p.m., Capitol Hill Books hosts a casual soiree and all are invited. Nothing goes better with a cracker bite of smoked apple cheese than 10 percent off the store's vintage secondhand collection. Aged mystery and classics copies are still a popular buy. Before you book shop, however, treasure hunt through nearby Eastern Market for the weekend's finest in flea-market finds.

Keep your spirits bright with some home décor highlighting -- urban style. Urban Outfitters brings bohemian glam to inexpensive accessories for playful ways to perk up your home. Lampshades in a variety of paisleys and hues run around $8, and hanging fabric lanterns start at $6. The hanging bulb-socket cord comes at a relatively cheap price and, unlike other models, includes a switch so you don't have to worry about plugging and unplugging. At $12 apiece, votive wall sconces strung in glossy gems and frosted glass can be mixed and matched easily.